Anna Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, captivated the world with her audacious scams, posing as a wealthy German heiress and defrauding banks, hotels, and high-society acquaintances out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Her story, sensationally brought to life in Netflix's "Inventing Anna," left many viewers wondering about the true origins of this enigmatic figure. While Anna spun elaborate tales of trust funds and inheritances, the reality of her family background was far more grounded. One of the most frequently asked questions surrounding her past is: "What did Anna Delvey's dad really do?" To truly understand Anna Sorokin's journey from a working-class Russian suburb to the heart of New York's elite, we must peel back the layers of deception and examine the life of her father, Vadim Sorokin. Far from being a reclusive billionaire, Vadim's life story is one of hard work, ambition, and the pursuit of a better future for his family, a stark contrast to the fabricated world his daughter constructed.
From Russia to Germany: The Sorokin Family's Roots
Anna Sorokin was born on January 23, 1991, in Domodedovo, a working-class satellite town located south of Moscow, in what was then the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. Her early life was a world away from the lavish lifestyle she would later pretend to inhabit. The Sorokin family's circumstances were modest, reflecting the economic realities of post-Soviet Russia.
Early Life in Domodedovo, Russia
In Domodedovo, Anna's father, Vadim Sorokin, worked as a truck driver. This was his primary occupation, providing for his family through diligent labor. His wife, Anna's mother, contributed to the family income by owning and operating a small convenience store. These humble beginnings paint a clear picture of a family striving to make ends meet, a far cry from the image of inherited wealth that Anna would later project. Despite his role as a truck driver, Vadim Sorokin was not without entrepreneurial spirit. Records indicate that at the time, he was also on the verge of opening a heating and cooling business. This aspiration suggests a desire for upward mobility and a commitment to building a more prosperous future for his family, showcasing a drive that, ironically, Anna would later manifest in her own, albeit illicit, endeavors.
A New Chapter in Germany
The turning point for the Sorokin family came in 2007. When Anna was 16 years old, her family made the significant decision to relocate from Russia to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This move was driven by Vadim's desire to create a better life for them, seeking new opportunities and a fresh start in a more economically stable environment. They settled in the German town of Eschweiler. Upon their arrival in Germany, Vadim Sorokin transitioned from his role as a truck driver. He became an executive, reportedly at a company involved in the heating and cooling sector, aligning with his previous entrepreneurial aspirations. This career progression indicates a successful adaptation to their new country and a step up in his professional life, further solidifying the family's financial stability, albeit still within a conventional middle-class framework. This move underscores Vadim's commitment to his family's well-being and his proactive approach to securing their future.
The Financial Veil: What We Know (and Don't Know) About Vadim's Wealth
One of the central pillars of Anna Delvey's elaborate fraud was her fabricated wealth. She meticulously constructed a persona of a German heiress with a substantial trust fund, claiming she would inherit millions on her 26th birthday and received a monthly allowance of around $30,000. The reality, however, was far removed from these grandiose claims.
Dispelling the "Heiress" Myth
The truth is, Anna's parents were not wealthy German aristocrats, nor did they possess a vast fortune that could fund her extravagant lifestyle. Her mother continued to run a small convenience store, and her father, Vadim, was a truck driver before becoming an executive in Germany. Their income, while respectable, was that of a working-to-middle-class family. There was no trust fund, no multi-million dollar inheritance, and no endless supply of cash for Anna's lavish spending. Her claims were entirely fictional, designed to deceive those around her into believing she was a legitimate heiress. This stark contrast between Anna's claims and her parents' reality highlights the depth of her deception. She leveraged the obscurity of her family's background and the allure of European wealth to create a convincing, albeit false, narrative.
Rumors and Secrecy
Despite their relatively humble background, Vadim Sorokin's finances were not entirely free from speculation. There were unsubstantiated rumors that he himself contended with once he moved to Germany, possibly related to his business dealings or financial activities. However, the details of these rumors remain vague and unconfirmed. What is known is that Vadim Sorokin was "circumspect about the family’s finances." This discretion was "possibly out of a not-unreasonable fear of being held responsible for his daughter’s" actions. Given the immense financial fraud Anna perpetrated, it's understandable that her father would be cautious about revealing any financial details that could potentially implicate him or subject him to scrutiny. The general public knows "not a great deal known about Anna Delvey’s parents," adding to the mystique that Anna herself cultivated. This secrecy, however, stems from a desire for privacy and protection, rather than an attempt to hide vast sums of money.
The Aftermath: Vadim Sorokin's Reaction to Anna's Crimes
The revelations of Anna's fraud and her subsequent conviction had a profound and devastating impact on her family, particularly her parents. Their reaction speaks volumes about the emotional toll her actions took on them.
Disowning Anna
Perhaps the most significant and heartbreaking consequence of Anna's crimes for her family was their decision to disown her. Both Anna Delvey's parents "disowned her after she was found guilty." This act was not merely a legal formality but a deeply personal and painful severing of ties. The reasons cited for this drastic step include Anna "apparently taking money from them and pretending to be a wealthy heiress in New York's socialite scene." The betrayal, the public humiliation, and the sheer scale of her deception ultimately led them to make this difficult choice. For parents who had worked hard to provide a better life for their children, Anna's actions were not just criminal but a fundamental rejection of the values they had instilled. The dream of a new start in Germany, envisioned by Vadim, was shattered by the nightmare of his daughter's fraudulent life.
Speaking Out (or Not)
Following the release of Netflix's "Inventing Anna," there was renewed interest in Anna's family and their perspective. Anna Delvey/Sorokin's father "has spoken out about his daughter's actions and the Netflix show." However, both parents have largely "remained pretty quiet publicly." This quietness suggests a desire to maintain their privacy and perhaps process the trauma of the situation away from the public eye. The relationship between Anna Sorokin and her father, Vadim, remains complex and strained. While Vadim has offered some insights into his feelings about his daughter's actions, the full extent of their current relationship is not widely known. The Netflix series, while dramatizing Anna's story, also brought the family's private struggles into the public consciousness, forcing them to confront the legacy of her fraud.
Summary of Vadim Sorokin's Life and Legacy
In summary, Vadim Sorokin, Anna Delvey's father, was a man who worked hard to provide for his family and sought a better life for them. He began as a truck driver in a working-class Russian town, with aspirations of starting his own heating and cooling business. His ambition led him to move his family to Germany, where he successfully transitioned into an executive role, likely within the same industry. Far from being the source of Anna's fabricated wealth, Vadim and his wife lived a modest, middle-class existence. Their story is one of parental effort and sacrifice, which stands in stark contrast to the elaborate lies their daughter spun. The profound disappointment and betrayal resulting from Anna's criminal actions ultimately led them to disown her, leaving a strained and largely private relationship in the aftermath of her public downfall.
Anna Delvey's father speaks out about his daughter's actions | Tatler
